Born January 30, 1929, in Queens, N.Y., he graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor's degree in 1952. He also earned a bachelor's degree in sacred theology from St. Mary's Seminary & University in 1955, and a master's degree in education from St. John's University in 1962. After teaching in New York City, he moved to San Diego in 1964 after meeting his future wife, Josephine Macaluso, on a blind date there, set up by his brother Robert. The couple married that year and lived in Del Cerro, where they were active members of St. Therese Roman Catholic Parish.
Barone was a dedicated educator and shared his enthusiasm for English literature, poetry, and creative writing with thousands of students at Poway High School, where he was known as “The Metaphor Man.” He served as chairman of the communication arts department at Poway High. A frequent consultant on teaching writing, he was named one of three Teachers of the Year by the San Diego County Office of Education in 1979. He also received an Award for Classroom Excellence from the California Association of Teachers of English in 1986. He retired in 1993 after 37 years as a teacher.
He published several books on writing through the San Diego Area Writing Project, as well as collections of short stories and poetry, including “Lilacs,” “Hummingbirds and Other Metaphors,” “The Poetry of Sport and the Sport of Poetry,” and “Poetry and Cappuccino.” He enjoyed playing golf, writing and sharing poetry, watching the Padres and college basketball, discussing movies, books, and literature over a cup of Starbucks coffee — and most of all, his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents Pasquale and Teresa Barone; brothers Mario (Filomena) and Robert (Ida Rose) Barone, and sisters Rita and Rose Marie Barone. Surviving are his children, Teri (Rich) Baird, and Frank (Michele) Barone, both of San Diego; two grandchildren, Charlie Baird and Joseph Barone, also of San Diego; a brother, Saverio (Linda) Barone of Washington, Utah; several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; several cousins; and many friends and colleagues in the San Diego area and beyond.
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